Engineering Positive Space
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Engineering Positive Space Committee
Founded in 2010, Engineering Positive Space is an informal group of students, staff and faculty who work together to make U of T Engineering a place where everyone in our diverse community can feel at home. The group meets a few times each year to discuss challenges and plan for events like Pink Shirt Day and Toronto Pride, which have become U of T Engineering traditions.
Whether you identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or are an ally, all are welcome to join! You can:
- Email us: engineering.positive.space@utoronto.ca
- Join the Engineering Positive Space listserv
- Visit the Engineering Positive Space SharePoint site
The year’s Engineering Positive Space co-chairs are:
Faculty co-chair: Dionne Aleman (she/her), Associate Dean, Cross-Disciplinary Programs and industrial engineering professor in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. Her research focuses on the medical applications of operations research to improve the quality, timeliness and efficiency of care.
Staff co-chair: Aaron Wang (he/him), Engineering Student Recruitment and Transition Officer in the Faculty’s Engineering Student Recruitment & Retention Office at U of T Engineering. Aaron’s work focuses on international student enrolment and equity access.
U of T Positive Space Committee
You’re also welcome to join U of T’s Positive Space Committee. This group of students, staff and faculty meet once a month to discuss issues and events for the diverse communities at U of T. If you would like to get involved, join the listserv.
QueerSphere
Undergraduate and graduate engineering students can get involved, connect, contribute to and improve the 2SLGBTQIA+ community experience within the Faculty through QueerSphere!
What is Positive Space?
Positive Space is an initiative that was founded in 1995 at the University of Toronto to raise awareness about the LGBTQ+ community. The founders created and distributed stickers and posters with an inverted rainbow triangle to identify allies. Since its inception, the Positive Space movement has spread to many other universities across North America.
When you see a Positive Space sticker or poster in the window of someone’s office, it means the person who put it up is an ally. That person will listen without judgement. While they may not have answers to all questions and concerns, they will ask how they can support you and direct you to someone who can help.
What is an ally?
Allies are people who are not part of the marginalized group of people they are advocating for. For example, an ally could be a cisgender and/or straight person who wants to show respect and support for gender and sexually diverse people.
An ally does not speak on behalf of the marginalized group, but they show empathy toward their struggle and stand beside them in support. Being an ally is a continual practice, not a single action.
It is not meant to be a title you give yourself, but rather an identifier given by a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
How can I get an Engineering Positive Space decal for my teaching or learning space?
Email us at engineering.positive.space@utoronto.ca with your request! You can also download and print the poster series below to hang in your space.
I’d like a pronoun button. Where can I get one?
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Professionalism has a supply of pronoun buttons for the U of T Engineering community. Complete the form to request pronoun buttons; buttons will be delivered within the month of June.
I’d like to walk with the U of T Engineering float at this year’s Pride Parade. How can I get involved?
Each year the Blue & Gold Committee designs and builds a float for the parade. Stay tuned for more on how you can get involved. You can also follow Blue & Gold on Instagram: @bngcommittee
I displayed an Engineering Positive Space poster or decal in my office. What are my responsibilities in maintaining a Positive Space?
1. Educate yourself
U of T’s Sexual & Gender Diversity Office website is a great starting point. You’ll find resources on 2SLGBTQIA+ terms and concepts, pronouns, the locations of all-gender washrooms on campus, and a number of workshops.
A shortlist of some of our favourite external resources are also listed below.
- The 519: Committed to the health, happiness and full participation of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities within Toronto.
- Guide to Allyship: A starter guide to becoming a more thoughtful and effective ally
- GLAAD tips for allies: Guide to allyship toward transgender people
- Rainbow Healthcare Ontario: 2SLGBTQIA+ access to health care
- Beyond Diversity: An LGBT Best Practices Guide for Employers: Strategies to meet the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the workplace
2. Listen to and empathize with those who have experienced harm
If a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community comes to you with a concern, listen to their experience and ask them how you can help. If you’re unable to support them directly, you can connect them with others who can help, including:
- U of T’s Sexual & Gender Diversity Office – confidential consultations, support and advice
- U of T Campus Safety – 416-978-2222 for urgent situations
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U of T Telus Health Student Support – 24/7 confidential support
- U of T Health & Wellness – medical appointments, mental health support, reproductive health Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) – for staff and faculty
Engineering Positive Space or U of T Positive Space – to find community - QueerSphere – to find community among engineering students
- LGBT Youthline – confidential peer support
3. If you observe or hear of a troubling occurrence within the community, report it
You can contact the Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Professionalism within U of T Engineering (inclusion@engineering.utoronto.ca), or submit a confidential disclosure online.
4. Be part of the conversation!
Beyond joining the Engineering Positive Space Committee, U of T Engineering has several informal groups that discuss how we can contribute to the Faculty’s collective objective to create and sustain an inclusive community. Consider joining the conversation to share your thoughts and learn from others. It’s also a wonderful forum in which to meet other staff, faculty and students within the Faculty.
- QueerSphere - Undergrad
- QueerSphere - Grad
- Engineering Equity Diversity & Inclusion Action Group (for students, staff and faculty)
Display Your Pride
Each year in mid-June, the U of T community celebrates Pride Month with an initiative called Display Your Pride. Below is a selection of videos and photos of what Pride means to the U of T Engineering community.
This year, Display Your Pride takes place on Tuesday, June 13: follow #DisplayYourPride on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
Downloads
Virtual background
Posters
